Clackamas Lake

Star4.10
66 reviews

Quick Facts

3,400 ft

Price

$25/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

49 campsites

Season

Open May 23, 2025, t...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Mount Hood Recreation site

Official Website
Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Clackamas Lake
$25.00 - $25.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Fees include $25 nightly rate for all site types during peak season. A $2 holiday additional fee applies. Reservation fees including $8 for online or...
Show more
Standard Site Fee$25.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
503-630-5721clm@clm-services.com
Help improve this page
See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.10

Satisfactory

Based on 66 reviews

Most mentioned

clean

Some mention

noise

"User reviews for Clackamas Lake Campground are mixed, with many praising the natural beauty and access to trails, but others highlighting issues such as mosquitoes, lack of maintenance, and noise from neighboring sites. Some users report excellent experiences with helpful hosts and clean facilities, while others note the absence of hosts leading to chaos."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Clackamas Lake

45.0956, -121.7465

Driving directionsFrom Sandy, travel east on Highway 26 for approximately 40 miles to Skyline Road (Forest Road 42). Turn right on Skyline Road and continue south for 10 miles to the Clackamas Lake entrance sign. Turn left and head east less than half a mile to the campground entrance.
Access requires traveling on paved roads (Highway 26 and Skyline Road) and is relatively straightforward for passenger vehicles.

Best Time to Camp at Clackamas Lake

From May through September, the campground basks in the gentle embrace of moderate mountain weather, creating ideal conditions for outdoor adventures. Nature's soundtrack includes the occasional buzz of mosquitos drawn to the area's lush, marshy environment – a small price for such pristine wilderness. As autumn arrives, the landscape transforms with snow and frost, wrapping the forest in a quiet winter slumber that lasts until spring's return.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.0 / 5

Peak season May–Sep; good weather but heavy mosquitoes and increased noise reported in summer.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Likely quieter and pleasant in fall; fewer direct reviews but trend suggests better solitude.

Best
Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Spring reviews are positive and campground is quieter before peak season.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed outside the May–Sep open window.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 23, 2025, to September 7, 2025.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open May 23, 2025, to Sep 7, 2025, during peak season.

About Clackamas Lake

Nestled in the heart of Mt. Hood National Forest, Clackamas Lake Campground invites you to experience the Pacific Northwest's natural splendor across 49 thoughtfully designed sites. Whether you're arriving with tent in tow or RV in hand, you'll find your perfect basecamp here, with 11 specialized equestrian sites welcoming horse enthusiasts to explore the wilderness on horseback. Days unfold with endless possibilities: cast a line into the tranquil waters, take a refreshing dip, paddle across the glassy lake surface, or lace up your boots for the scenic 2.2-mile Miller Trail, your gateway to the legendary Pacific Crest Trail.
Clackamas Lake Campground accommodates various camping styles, including RV, tent, and equestrian camping. Group camping is available, though details are minimal.
Advertisement

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Check-in at 11:00 AM local time.
Check-out
Check-out at 12:00 PM local time.
Stay Limit
Maximum Stay Limit: up to 14 nights during a visit per rolling 30-day period.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Firewood available
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Clackamas Lake Campground provides a mix of water-based and land-based recreation. Fishing, swimming, and non-motorized boating are the primary water activities. On land, campers can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The Miller Trail links to the Pacific Crest Trail, offering extended hiking opportunities. Wildlife viewing is a notable activity, with species like trout and small amphibians (e.g., frogs) frequently mentioned.
HikingHiking is popular, with access to the 2.2-mile Miller Trail connecting to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Additional trails lead to Timothy Lake and Little Crater Lake. Trails offer diverse scenery and vary in length, accommodating both short and long excursions.
FishingFishing is a key attraction, with opportunities to catch cutthroat, brook, rainbow, and German brown trout.
SwimmingSwimming is available, but the lake is described as shallow and swampy by reviewers. The muddy bottom may deter some swimmers.
BikingMountain biking is supported on trails in and around the campground, including connections to the PCT and nearby Timothy Lake trails.
BoatingBoating is limited to non-motorized options such as canoes and kayaks. However, the lake's small size and shallow waters restrict extensive boating activities.
Wildlife viewingWildlife in the area includes a variety of bird species and aquatic creatures, such as frogs. Campers frequently mention the presence of mosquitoes as a nuisance but also note sightings of deer and other forest animals.
Advertisement

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsMosquitos are frequently described as 'horrendous,' especially given the swampy lake conditions. The lake's muddy bottom poses a minor safety risk to swimmers.

Weather at Clackamas Lake

Reviews

4.1
66 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Clackamas Lake is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews for Clackamas Lake Campground are mixed, with many praising the natural beauty and access to trails, but others highlighting issues such as mosquitoes, lack of maintenance, and noise from neighboring sites. Some users report excellent experiences with helpful hosts and clean facilities, while others note the absence of hosts leading to chaos.
Review Summaries
Based on 66 reviews

What Campers Love

Many reviewers appreciate the clean vault toilets, proximity to the Pacific Crest Trail, and the general beauty of the forested environment. Equestrian campers commend the availability and condition...
Show more
Based on 66 reviews

Common Concerns

Frequent issues include excessive mosquitoes, unmaintained facilities, lack of camp hosts, and noise disturbances from other campers playing loud music. Some equestrian campers have expressed...
Show more
Based on 66 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing bug repellents and purchasing firewood in advance. Visitors also suggest exploring nearby attractions like Timothy Lake and Little Crater Lake and preparing for limited...
Show more
Based on 66 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer sees a high influx of mosquitoes and occasional issues with noise and unkempt facilities. Fall and spring are likely quieter but lack detailed reviews for trends.
Based on 66 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The vault toilets were the cleanest I have ever been to." - Michael N. "Campground not maintained, no camp host." - Michael S. "The mosquitoes were absolutely unrelenting." - Tobin T. "Beautiful...
Show more
Based on 66 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific reviews are mixed. Site 30 is praised for its large size, while Site 13 is noted to be difficult to maneuver.
Based on 66 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews explicitly address accessibility features for those with disabilities.
Based on 66 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Reviews frequently mention pets, particularly dogs, but also highlight issues like unleashed pets causing disturbances at campsites.
Based on 66 reviews

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to Clackamas Lake? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.


Last updated January 13, 2026
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in Oregon

Campgrounds
Mt. Hood National Forest
Clackamas Lake